America’s SBDCs Celebrate National Small Business Week #SBDC #DreamSmallBiz

05/04/2015

America’s SBDC is excited to announce that the Louisiana SBDC center at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, and six SBDC clients from around the country, will be acknowledged and awarded at this year’s National Small Business Week. National Small Business Week honors America’s 28 million small businesses and their entrepreneurial, innovative and resilient spirit that serves as the backbone of the American economy.

“This year’s winners are dynamic trailblazers in their respective small business fields, contributing to their local economies and providing good jobs in their communities. It is an honor to celebrate their hard work and success,” said Maria Contreras-Sweet, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Small Business Development Centers don’t just help entrepreneurs and growing businesses — they help create success, they help people realize their dreams. SBDC impact can be seen in the number of businesses starting and growing and creating jobs all across America. National recognition of our clients’ success is just the icing on the cake. At America’s SBDC we are proud to represent a national network that does such great work, and especially proud of all the winners and finalists,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, America’s SBDC President & CEO.

The national winners & finalists listed below will be invited to a recognition ceremony at the White House on May 8th.

2015 Small Business Development Center WinnerLouisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Louisiana University

- Small Business Person of the Year: Joseph B. Winemiller, owner of Greenleaf Services, Inc. in Wilmington, Delaware
- Small Business Exporter of the Year: Robert A. Rider, President and CEO of O.A. Newton in Bridgeville, Delaware
- Regional Exporter of the Year, Veteran Owned Business of the Year: Don Chupp, President of Fireside Partners in Dover and New Castle, Delaware
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Garrett Grier, Managing Member of Milford Car Wash and Seaford Car Wash, t/a Duck In Car Wash
- Small Business Champion of the Year: Juanita Beauford, Director of Delaware PTAC (Delaware PTAC is hosted by Delaware SBDC)
- 8(a) Graduate: Eliseo Valenzuela, First State Mfg.

Florida SBDC

- Small Business Person of the Year National Finalist, State of Florida, and South Florida District Winner: Carol Craig, Craig Technologies, Cape Canaveral
- Small Business Person of the Year North Florida District Winner: Sandra Saft, S.Saft and Company, dba Window Interiors, Altamonte Springs
- Small Business Exporter of the Year Southeast Region (IV), State of Florida, and North Florida District Winner: Douglas Worswick, Certified Slings, Casselberry
- Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year North Florida District Winner: Jeff Rawls, Synergy Fabrications, Palatka
- Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year North Florida District Winner: Margarita U. Howard, HX5, Fort Walton Beach
- Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year State of Florida and North Florida District Winner: Printella Bankhead, EBS Security, Inc., Jacksonville
- Financial Advocate of the Year State of Florida and North Florida District Winner: David Marovich, Vice President of Business, 121 Financial Credit Union, Jacksonville

Georgia SBDC

- Small Business of the Year: Scott Soesbee, FlameOFF Coatings, Inc.

Illinois SBDC

- Small Business Person of the Year: John Griffin, AGB Investigative Services Inc.
- 8(a) Business of the Year: David Rambhajan, INDUSTRIA Inc.
- Family Owned Business of the Year: Stepanie Hickman, Trice Construction

- Small Business Person of the Year: Sean Coffman, CarsforSale.com
- Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Sky Zone
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Behavior Care Specialists, Inc.
- Small Business Exporter of the Year: C-Needs, Inc.

Vermont SBDC

- Small Business Person of the Year: Monica Greene, Vermont Precision Tools
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Allison Wright, OWL Food

* State & Regional SBDC winner info has been provided by each state/region’s lead center. If your state/region info is missing from this list please contact us at marketing@americassbdc.org.

About America’s SBDC and Small Business Development Centers: America’s SBDC represents the Nation’s 63 Small Business Development Centers, a national network of partnerships uniting higher education, state and local nonprofit economic development organizations, private enterprise and government. It is the Small Business Administration’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses. Learn more at www.americassbdc.org. Find your local SBDC today!

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America's SBDC is the association that represents America's nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).
For no-cost business consulting and low-cost business training, contact your local SBDC.